(NaturalNews) In recent years, the topic of inflammation has become more widely studied, and more is understood about this condition than in the past. Medical researchers are beginning to realize just how much of a toll chronic, low-level inflammation can take on the body and are starting to link it not only to arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, but also as a suspected culprit in diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

And, of course, inflammation is a leading cause of chronic pain and causes millions of Americans every year to seek relief with over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, all of which have unwanted and sometimes very serious side effects. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to help both with pain relief and inflammation reduction. These are discussed below, and a recipe is given that harnesses the power of ginger and turmeric together to provide safe and effective relief.

More on turmeric and ginger

Turmeric and ginger are "kissing cousins", botanically speaking, so it is no wonder that they share some of the same highly valued properties. Both have a long history of medicinal use, particularly in the healing traditions of India and China, where they have been used for thousands of years. The West, however, is beginning to catch up and realize just what therapeutic powerhouses these two spices really are.

The active compounds in these spices (gingerols in ginger, curcumin in turmeric) have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and are often prescribed by natural health practitioners for relief of symptoms associated with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. Using these spices can decrease joint pain and increase flexibility and mobility for people with these conditions. It has also proven effective for relieving the pain and inflammation of some digestive disorders like ulcerative colitis.

While ginger and turmeric can be used in powdered form, many practitioners believe it is best if the fresh root is utilized. Below is a tea which combines these two powerhouses together for a very effective and tasty pain- and inflammation-relieving tea.

Recipe for Turmeric-Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil, add the ginger and turmeric root, then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain, then add honey to taste and a wedge of lemon. Also add the coconut oil and the pinch of black pepper, both of which make the turmeric more easily absorbable and maximize its health benefits.

This tea is incredibly easy to make and its benefits are pretty incredible, too. For those who are suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, PCOS or inflammatory bowel disease, for instance, this tea is well worth considering due to the way it can help reduce inflammation (and thus pain) throughout the entire body. The fact that this tea is not only delicious but offers a ton of other benefits apart from pain control is just icing on the cake!